After months of crisis in the Middle East, France is looking to build its influence in the region by strengthening relations with Oman – a small country long seen as a quiet, neutral regional player. On his first state visit to France, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday announced a string of major contracts for French companies.
French President Emmanuel Macron, sporting his now-infamous aviator sunglasses, and Oman’s turbaned sultan made a striking pair as they shook hands for reporters before their meeting at Paris’s Élysée Palace on Monday. Their message was clear: France and Oman are set to deepen economic ties.
